Albany, NY – The Northeast Charter Schools Network today thanked Senators Flanagan and Marcellino for a bill that would lift the cap on charter schools by 100 for a total of 560. The bill would also eliminate current geographical restrictions on charters schools, which would allow more charters in New York City.

Northeast Charter Schools Network CEO Kyle Rosenkrans said, "School choice is a right that should extend to every family, regardless of their wealth or ZIP code. We applaud Senate leadership for proposing a bill that would make that promise a reality for many of the 50,000 kids languishing on New York City charter school waitlists.

"The charter cap is nothing but a sop to the `haves’ that keeps the `have nots’ trapped in schools they don’t want. All children deserve school choice, not just the ones whose parents can afford tuition at Fieldston or homes and property taxes in Scarsdale."

Also included in the bill is an allowance that if a charter school closed, its charter would again become available in the statewide number of charters.

About the Northeast Charter Schools Network: The Northeast Charter Schools Network is a regional advocacy organization for the more than 250 charter schools in New York and Connecticut. Its mission is to support and expand high quality charter schools in the region.